Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport Ushers in Paperless Era with E-Arrival Cards for International Travelers

New Delhi, October 1, 2025 – Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), India's busiest aviation hub, marked a pivotal shift toward digital efficiency today by launching the E-Arrival Card system, allowing foreign travelers to submit their entry details online and bid farewell to cumbersome paper disembarkation forms. This initiative, spearheaded by the Bureau of Immigration in partnership with Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), takes effect immediately and aims to expedite immigration processes while championing sustainability in line with the government's Digital India vision.

The rollout comes amid a surge in international arrivals, with IGIA handling millions of passengers annually, many from key markets like the UAE, where business, tourism, and family ties drive high-volume traffic. Foreign nationals arriving for purposes such as tourism, business, study, or medical treatment can now opt for the digital alternative, submitting details up to 72 hours—or three days—prior to their flight. This preemptive step eliminates the need for on-site form-filling, potentially slashing wait times at immigration counters and easing congestion during peak seasons like festivals and holidays.

Eligibility is broad, encompassing all foreign nationals entering via IGIA, with exemptions for Indian passport holders, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders, and visa-free entrants from Nepal and Bhutan. Unlike some expedited programs, no document uploads are required; users simply input basic information including passport number, nationality, purpose of visit, local address in India, and contact details. Upon submission, the system issues a confirmation receipt—often with a QR code or unique reference number—for seamless presentation at the immigration desk, where officers can verify details electronically.

Accessing the E-Arrival Card is straightforward, with multiple user-friendly portals available: the Bureau of Immigration's official site (boi.gov.in), the Indian Visa Online portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in), the "Su-Swagatam" mobile app, and DIAL's airport website (newdelhiairport.in). While the digital option is not yet mandatory—allowing travelers to fall back on paper forms if preferred—the government positions it as a streamlined replacement designed to "smooth the immigration process and avoid delays." This optional framework ensures inclusivity for those less familiar with digital tools, though officials anticipate widespread adoption given the simplicity and time savings.

The benefits extend beyond convenience. By digitizing a process that once generated reams of paper waste, the E-Arrival Card aligns IGIA with global leaders in eco-conscious aviation, including Singapore's Changi, Thailand's Suvarnabhumi, South Korea's Incheon, Indonesia's Soekarno-Hatta, and Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International airports, all of which have embraced similar paperless systems. Environmentally, it supports greener operations at a facility that processes over 100 million passengers yearly, reducing the carbon footprint of administrative tasks. For travelers from high-traffic routes like UAE-India, the change is particularly timely, promising shorter queues amid the post-pandemic rebound in tourism and business travel.

Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, emphasized the transformative potential in a statement: “We are delighted to join hands with the Bureau of Immigration to launch the E-Arrival Card facility for international passengers. By digitising the arrival card process, we are enabling faster clearances, shorter waiting times, and greater convenience to enhance the overall passenger experience. This initiative reflects the Government of India’s commitment to delivering a world-class, hassle-free travel experience while promoting sustainable practices.”